NH High Tech Council to change name to NH Tech Alliance, seek full-time director

Since 2010, Matt Cookson, founder of Cookson Strategies, has served as part-time director of the New Hampshire High Tech Council. Citing growth, the council's board has decided to hire a full-time director. (MICHAEL COUSINEAU/UNION LEADER FILE)

The New Hampshire High Tech Council is planning to change its name to the New Hampshire Tech Alliance in the fall.

MANCHESTER — The New Hampshire High Tech Council — which soon will have a new moniker — has decided to hire a full-time executive director, citing growth in revenue and membership.

Matt Cookson, president and CEO of Cookson Strategic Communications, has served as part-time executive director since 2010. In an email announcement Tuesday, Cookson said he plans to focus on his company rather than pursue the full-time position.

Cookson plans to remain as executive director until the council fills the position, which it has posted on its website. Afterward he will move to an advisory role.

“Under Matt’s stewardship in partnership with the Board, there has been tremendous growth in programming, members, and community engagement,” said Toral Cowieson, chairman of the council, in a separate email to members and supporters Tuesday.

Cowieson signed the letter, “Chair, New Hampshire Tech Alliance,” alluding to the rebranding effort the nonprofit organization plans to launch in the third quarter of this year.

In January, the Alpha Loft, a nonprofit startup incubator, became part of the council.

“As some of you know, there have been two ‘H’s in the NHHTC brand since its inception 20+ years ago. Recognizing that the second H has lost its relevancy and that ‘Council’ term is also outdated, the Board approved the renaming of the Council to the New Hampshire Tech Alliance (NHTA).”

The council organizes programs throughout the year, including TechOut, Product of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year — coming up June 13 at the DoubleTree Hilton in Nashua.

Its next event under its new relationship with Alpha Loft is the Startup Shindig at Oracle on May 31. During the event, companies participating in the Accelerate NH program will pitch for investment capital from the Millworks Fund II, which plans to invest $300,000 this year in two of the startups.